Obama National Service Pick Bows Out

The White House pick to head the federal government's national service agency has withdrawn her nomination for unspecified health reasons, becoming the latest in a series of candidates to bow out of consideration for a senior administration post.

Nike Vice President Maria Eitel. (Photo by AP)

Maria Eitel, president of the Nike Foundation, was named by President Obama on April 21 to head the Corporation for National and Public Service, which oversees AmeriCorps, VISTA and other similar service groups. But NCPS officials told employees in an e-mail late last week that Eitel would remain at the Nike Foundation due to a "previously unknown health condition."

"Our thoughts are with Maria as she focuses on her personal health," acting CEO Nicky Goren wrote in the e-mail, which was first reported by the Youth Today website. "Finding leadership for the Corporation continues to be a very high priority for the White House."

Eitel is the latest in a string of Obama choices to withdraw their nominations since January, including former Sen. Tom Daschle for Health and Human Services secretary and New Mexico Gov. Bill Richardson and Rep. Judd Gregg (R-N.H.) at Commerce.